After Elections, Christie Looks Weaker to N.J. Democrats

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, right, at a press conference in Trenton on Thursday.

Emboldened by a win in Tuesday’s statewide election, New Jersey Democrats pledged to push back against popular Gov. Chris Christie and slow the success he’s had in getting his agenda passed in the first half of his term.

Members of the new Assembly and state Senate leadership caucus said Thursday that they intended to advance their own jobs and education bills and revive the “millionaire’s tax” that the governor opposes. Democratic leaders also pledged to come out swinging against Christie more than they had in the past two years.

“The days of embarrassing Democrats are over,” said Assemblyman Jerry Green, a Democrat who was selected as the speaker pro tempore, during the announcement Thursday of the Legislature’s new majority leaders. “If [Christie] doesn’t get his act together, he’s going to be a one term governor.”